By Tapiwa Chawagarira
HARARE — Scottland FC has been plunged into mourning following the death of businessman and club benefactor Wicknell Chivayo, whose financial backing had become closely associated with the rapid rise of the Mabvuku-based side.
Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and four other people died when a helicopter crashed in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East Province at about 5pm on Wednesday. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors, while investigations into the cause of the accident are expected to establish what led to the crash.
For Scottland, the tragedy comes at a particularly significant moment in the club’s development, with the reigning Premier Soccer League champions having made their debut in the CAF Champions League this year.
Chivayo was associated with Scottland through IMC Communications, which had renewed its sponsorship of the club as it prepared for its maiden continental campaign. The partnership formed part of the financial backing that helped the club strengthen its operations after winning the PSL title in its debut top-flight season.
The club’s president, Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, and the entire Scottland family described Chivayo as much more than a sponsor, saying he had become part of the club’s journey.
“Beyond the sponsorship, Sir Wicknell believed in our dreams, stood by us through every triumph and challenge, and became an invaluable part of the Scottland FC family,” the club said in a statement.
“The void left by this sudden demise is huge, not only for Scottland FC, but for everyone whose lives were touched by his generosity.”
Chivayo’s involvement with the club also extended to performance incentives. Ahead of Scottland’s CAF Champions League debut against Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs in September, he pledged a US$50 000 incentive to the team.
Scottland went on to progress past Nsingizini Hotspurs and continued its continental campaign, underlining the rapid transformation of a club that only recently established itself in Zimbabwe’s top flight.
The club’s statement extended condolences to the Chivayo and Muteke families, as well as their friends and colleagues at IMC.
“At this exceptionally difficult time, our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies go out to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues at IMC,” Scottland said.
“May you find strength, comfort, and peace in the wonderful memories they leave behind. May their souls rest in peace.”
The helicopter tragedy has also drawn national and regional attention, with reports confirming that the aircraft was carrying six people and that the crash occurred in rural Marondera. Police and other authorities are continuing their investigations and the formal identification of the victims.
For Scottland, however, the immediate focus is on mourning a benefactor whom the club says believed in its ambitions and contributed to its journey from a new PSL side to Zimbabwean champions and representatives in Africa’s premier club competition.
